Ankle decisions — 2020

The Veteran has withdrawn his claims for an increased rating for the right ankle disorder and service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for a left ankle disorder was denied as no new and material evidence had been received.,Service connection for sleep apnea was denied because there is no evidence of an in-service injury or a nexus between current sleep apnea and service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request for a waiver of overpayment of VA education benefits, finding that recovery would be against equity and good conscience due to the Veteran's financial hardship.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate range of motion testing in prior examinations. Additional records and an examination are needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to the lack of available service treatment records and the need for further medical examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected disabilities of the right ankle, right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, and hemorrhoids are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's chronic fatigue, allergic rhinitis, and musculoskeletal pain are granted as service connection due to undiagnosed illness under the provisions of the Persian Gulf Veterans' Act.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her left ankle disability and surgical scars, as well as her TDIU claim due to service-connected disabilities. The reasons include the Veteran's incarceration at the time of scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to missed VA examinations and lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions was denied due to the failure to timely file a Notice of Disagreement (NOD).

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and development due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for a brain tumor (claiming pituitary tumor).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various joint disabilities are being remanded due to the failure of the Veteran to appear for scheduled VA examinations. The Board will provide another opportunity for the Veteran to undergo these examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection, earlier effective dates, and increased ratings are remanded due to incomplete adjudication of his claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for right and left ankle disabilities, as well as the claim for increases in staged ratings for atopic dermatitis with PFB due to insufficient reasons or bases provided by the Board.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted. The claims for increased ratings for right ankle and right knee disabilities are remanded.

The appeal for bilateral ankle disability is dismissed as the benefit has already been granted. The right hip issue is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle degenerative arthritis, back condition, and left elbow condition. The evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions began during active or inactive duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD and bilateral hearing loss due to additional development being needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various foot disabilities and depressive disorder due to incomplete service treatment records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for her right and left feet, as well as her right and left ankles, which she alleges were caused by in-service injuries or events.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ankle disability due to inconsistencies in the medical opinions provided. The case is now pending with a request for additional medical examination and opinion.